Damaging Wind in New Jersey, September 7, 1998

A squall line of severe thunderstorms rocked Somerset County around 2 p.m. EDT on Monday the 7th. It knocked down numerous trees and power lines and forced four municipalities in the northeastern part of the county to declare states of emergency. Hundreds, if not thousands of trees were knocked down. Numerous homes were damaged by the uprooted trees. Only one person was injured when a tree limb fell on them in Bound Brook. Some schools were closed on the 8th because power was still out and roads were still blocked. The county damage estimate was around 2.656 million dollars. Wind gusts were estimated by SKYWARN Spotters at around 70 mph in both Bridgewater and Hillsborough Townships. The damage from thunderstorm winds was the worst in the county since July of 1997. Throughout the state 218,000 homes and businesses were without power. Power was not fully restored in Middlesex, Somerset and Union Counties until Saturday the 12th. States of Emergency were declared in North Plainfield Borough, South Bound Brook Borough, Warren Township and Watchung Borough. In North Plainfield Borough not one road in the borough was free of either downed trees or power lines. Massive oak trees were uprooted. In Warren Township, numerous homes were damaged. One house had a huge tree land in the master bedroom. In Watchung Borough, many residents who depend on well water were without any water when the electricity was lost. In Bedminster Township, the southern end of the town was hit hard. In Bernards Township, a downed tree crushed a porch. Several roads were closed and at least one vehicle was damaged by fallen trees. In Bound Brook Borough, half the borough lost power as hundreds of trees were uprooted. Many side streets were closed and some cars and homes were damaged. In Bridgewater Township, four major roads were closed and there were about 60 reports of downed trees and/or wires. In Green Brook Township, almost every street had a downed tree. Most of the township lost power. Many utility poles were down. In Hillsborough Township, roads were blocked by fallen trees through Wednesday. In Millstone Borough, a 60 foot tree damaged a home. Other municipalities that reported some downed trees and wires as well road closures included Branchburg Township, Montgomery Township, Far Hills Borough, Manville Borough, Raritan Borough and Somerville Borough. About 218,000 homes and businesses lost power throughout the state of New Jersey. Middlesex, Somerset and Union Counties were hardest hit. About 59,000 customers still did not have power the afternoon of the 8th. The number dropped to 12,000 on the 9th and 2,100 the morning of the 11th. Power was fully restored on the 12th. It was estimated that 2,100 power lines had to be replaced in central New Jersey.